start out
To begin something, especially a journey or career, from a certain point
Meanings
To begin a journey from a particular place
"They started out from London and planned to reach Edinburgh by evening."
To begin one's career, life, or a process in a particular role or situation
"She started out as a junior assistant and worked her way up to director."
""I started out as an actor, and I've always thought of what I do as performance.""
— David Bowie, interview with Rolling Stone, 1987
To have a particular intention or plan at the beginning (often with 'to')
"I started out to write a short story, but it turned into a novel."
Very common in both American and British English. Particularly used when talking about the beginning of a career, life story, or long process, often with the implication of subsequent change or development (e.g., 'started out as a teacher, ended up as a CEO'). Also used for physical journeys.
Commonly used with
Forms
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Synonyms
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